System and method for configuring a network interface device

Abstract

A system method for provisioning a network interface device comprising providing a network interface device having a controller for controlling the network device and a plurality of ports, wherein one or more of the plurality of ports are associated with a user, wherein the controller includes memory for storing an initial configuration file associated with the network device, storing the initial configuration file and generating from the initial configuration file a final configuration file based on network interface device related information, including Quality of Service information and device identification information, processing the initial configuration by the network interface device when a boot sequence is initiated, receiving address information associated with the network interface device, locating and downloading by the network interface device the final configuration file, and automatically rebooting the network interface device to process the final configuration file.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of provisioning a network interface device, comprising
 providing a network interface device having a controller for controlling the network device and a plurality of ports, wherein one or more of the plurality of ports are associated with a user, wherein the controller includes memory for storing an initial configuration file associated with the network device,   storing the initial configuration file and generating from the initial configuration file a final configuration file based on network interface device related information, including Quality of Service information and device identification information,   processing the initial configuration by the network interface device when a boot sequence is initiated,   receiving address information associated with the network interface device,   locating and downloading by the network interface device the final configuration file, and   automatically rebooting the network interface device to process the final configuration file.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving address information comprises receiving a media access control (MAC) address. 
     
     
         3 . A network interface system, comprising
 a network interface device having a controller for controlling the network device and a plurality of ports, wherein one or more of the plurality of ports are associated with a user, wherein the controller includes memory for storing an initial configuration file associated with the network device,   a first server for storing the initial configuration file and for generating from the initial configuration file a final configuration file based on network interface device related information, including Quality of Service information and device identification information, wherein the first server can be configured to assign an internet protocol (IP) address to the network device, and   a relay server for identifying selected device information associated with the network interface device,   wherein the controller includes a processor that can execute suitable instructions to, upon boot up, download and execute the final configuration file.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the selected device information comprises location information associated indicative of the location of the network interface device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the device identification information includes a media control access (MAC) address.